Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets launched by Microsoft

Microsoft has unveiled updated versions of its Surface RT and Surface Pro
tablets, along with a new range of Surface accessories.

Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 each benefit from improvements to processing power, battery life, display and camera resolution, as well as to the kickstand – now with dual angles so that users can balance the Surface on their lap or at their desk.

Enhancements in Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro also make the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 more powerful and customisable, according to Microsoft.

The Surface 2, which replaces the Surface RT, is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, making apps run faster and smoother and increasing battery life to up to 10 hours for video playback. The 10.6-inch full HD display now renders 1080p video, and its full-size USB port has been upgraded to USB 3.0 for up to four times faster file transfers.

Camera resolution has increased, with a 3.5-megapixel front camera and 5-megapixel rear camera, both capable of capturing 1080p video and featuring improved low-light performance. The tablet is also marginally thinner and lighter than its predecessor, at 0.35 inches (9mm) thick and 1.49 lbs (676g).

The Surface 2 will ship with Windows RT 8.1, bringing improvements in areas such as personalisation, search, multitasking, built-in apps, the Windows Store experience and connectivity to cloud-based storage.

The new Xbox Music allows users to stream songs for free, and users can also download an updated Video app and games such as “Halo: Spartan Assault” from the Windows Store. Surface 2 is comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Office 2013 RT and is available in 32GB and 64GB configurations, starting at £359.

Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 2 is the successor to the Surface Pro and is powered by a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor which, combined with other improvements, delivers increased performance and up to 60 percent longer battery life than Surface Pro, according to Microsoft.

Starting at £719, the Surface Pro 2 will be offered in 64GB and 128GB configurations with 4 GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB configurations with 8 GB of RAM.

Microsoft began selling its original Surface tablets last October, but sales have been slow. The company shipped about a million tablets in the first three months of 2013, according to research firm IDC, including about 260,000 of the RT version and 750,000 of the Pro version.

The shipments gave Microsoft a 2 percent share of the tablet market in the first quarter. By the second quarter, however, Microsoft tablets had dropped out of IDC's Top 5.

"Microsoft has been humbled by modest sales of Surface, but it's not giving up. Microsoft is doubling down on Surface, making needed hardware improvements to appeal to businesses and consumers," said Sarah Rotman Epps, senior analyst at Forrester.

"The first version of Surface, especially RT, couldn't compete with Apple's products. Surface 2 is better positioned to compete with iPad, and Surface Pro 2 attempts to take on MacBook Air as well as competition from Lenovo, Samsung, and HP."

She added that Surface is not just a stage for Windows, but also Office, Skype, Bing, and Skydrive.

"Microsoft's future depends on consumers and businesses using these services, and Microsoft feels like it can't rely solely on hardware partners to deliver these experiences anymore. The improvements to Surface won't make it an overnight best-seller – Microsoft still has a long road ahead to win over consumers and businesses."

Microsoft said that customers purchasing either device will receive free Skype calling to landlines in more than 60 countries for one year, unlimited Skype WiFi on their Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 at more than 2 million hotspots worldwide for one year, and 200 GB of free SkyDrive storage for two years.

The company also has six new accessories, including three new types of cover, a docking station for the Surface Pro that lets users connect their tablet to an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers or a power supply, a car charger with a USB port, and a special-edition Arc Touch Mouse that has been updated to match the look of Surface.

Customers can pre-order the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 from 13.00 BST today, either online at http://www.MicrosoftStore.com, in Microsoft Stores, or from select retailers including John Lewis. The device will become available on 22 October.

"The original Microsoft Surface was well received by our customers and we're really excited about the new thinner, lighter and faster devices," said Harry Boughton, junior buyer for tablets and telecoms at John Lewis. "You can be assured that we will be offering our leading two year guarantee at no extra cost when these launch in our stores on the 22nd October".